South Arkansas Community College (SouthArk)

About
South Arkansas Community College, located in El Dorado, Arkansas, was formed from the merger of Southern Arkansas University, Eldorado Branch and Oil Belt Technical Institute. The merger was approved in 1992 and the two campuses became SouthArk Campus West and East. The school offers educational and workforce programs for the community, identifying growing trends and needs and adapting its offerings to match.

Academics
South Arkansas Community College offers a variety of programs that allow for transfer to a four year institution or preparation for a career. Transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a four year education at a low cost, followed by transfer to a four year institution in order to complete the final two years of a bachelor's degree.

As a public institution, the school has agreements in place that allow for transfer in the University of Arkansas System with ease. Career programs provide education in a given field that prepares students with the skills and practical knowledge necessary to operate professionally. Graduates of these programs are able to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

Programs offered include:

• Criminal Justice
• General Studies
• Early Childhood Development
• Accounting
• Cosmetology

Admissions and Financial Aid
As an open admissions institution, SouthArk admits students that meet minimal educational requirements established by the school. Students should submit all relevant transcripts and standardized test scores in conjunction with the admission application in order to become enrolled and pay all fees at the time of registration in order to complete the process.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and federal work study programs. Students in need of aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine need eligibility and awards. Students may also approach the financial aid office in order to discuss issues are receive additional help.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $9,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

• Annual tuition estimates are:
  • State Residents: $2,000-$2,400
  • Out-of-State: $4,100-$4,954
• Part-time students are charged:
  • State Residents: $83-$100 per credit unit
  • Nonresidents: $170-$210 per credit unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	96%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	88%	$4,697
Receiving Student Loans	40%	$2,388

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To support students and graduates, South Arkansas Community College may provide services like:

• Online classes
• Night and weekend classes available
• Remedial instructional courses
• Academic counseling for students
• Student employment
• Helping students find work after graduation

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Community colleges offer a variety of career and transfer options for students. The following table shows the graduation and transfer-out rates for South Arkansas Community College, versus those community colleges in Arkansas, which can be valuable information for determining which school to attend.

	SouthArk	Union County	Arkansas
Graduation Rate	10.4%	-	22.2%
Transfer-out Rate	2.9%	-	14.1%

Specialized Programs & Accreditations

• Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program
  • Accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (since 2001)
• Radiology Technician Program
  • Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 1980)

Other Community Colleges Nearby

The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to South Arkansas Community College.

• Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, AR (33 miles away)
• University of Arkansas Community College - Hope in Hope, AR (61 miles away)
• Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, AR (78 miles away)
• College of the Ouachitas in Malvern, AR (79 miles away)
• Southern University at Shreveport in Shreveport, LA (82 miles away)